After pressure from the public and encouragement from local political leaders about the New Harbor Bridge Project in Corpus Christi, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) finally sent out a statement on Flatiron/Dragados, LLC, and an order to remove its engineering design firm, FIGG Bridge Engineers, from the project.

TxDOT said in their statement on Thursday that they made the decision after reviewing NTSB material regarding tge investigation of a bridge collapse in Florida in 2018.

“FIGG was the engineering design firm responsible for that project, with the same individual serving as the Engineer of Record (EOR) as for the New Harbor Bridge Replacement Project,” TxDOT Executive Director James Bass said in the statement that was released.

According to TXDOT Flatiron/Dragados has already begun taking steps to replace their firm. However, by making that change there could be even more problems yet to come.

“While this vital step for additional review and verification could result in potential delays to the project with potential cost impacts, the value of safety and taking the time needed for this project is unquestionably the right course of action,” Bass continued.

Local leaders also responded to the statement on Thursday saying that they have made it clear that from their standpoint safety and transparency are the two key priorities.